Take this homemade Turtle Ice Cream recipe to a whole new level with the addition of toasted crunchy pecans, delicious chocolate, and drizzles of creamy caramel sauce. Each spoonful is a perfect balance of textures and tastes.
Check out my Chunky Monkey Ice Cream and my Cinnamon Toast Crunch Ice Cream for more ice cream recipes!
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Get ready for one of the best homemade ice creams! This turtle ice cream is a premium flavor adventure that'll have you coming back for seconds, thirds, and maybe even more!
If you want to be extra top your ice cream with turtle candy. Your taste buds will thank you!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
The base of the ice cream is made with a homemade vanilla ice cream. Then, combined with caramel sauce, toasted pecan pieces, and chocolate chunks for a timeless favorite. Making your own homemade ice cream recipes allow you to control the quality of ingredients and customize the flavors to your liking.
The best part, all you need is an ice cream maker and the freshest ingredients!
Ingredients You Need
- Heavy cream: Provides richness and creaminess to the ice cream base.
- Whole milk: Adds a creamy base to the ice cream.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the ice cream base, balancing out the flavors.
- Egg yolks: Help to thicken the ice cream base and create a rich and velvety texture.
- Salt: Added to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm and comforting flavor.
- Chopped pecans (toasted): Brings a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Chocolate (chopped): Add bursts of chocolatey goodness.
- Caramel sauce: Caramel swirls throughout the ice cream, infusing it with a sweet and gooey caramel flavor.
Toasting The Pecans
Break down the pecans in a food processor. Spread the chopped pecans on a baking sheet and toast them in a preheated oven at 350 °F for about 5-7 minutes, or until they turn golden and fragrant. Allow them to cool completely before incorporating them into the ice cream.
Step By Step Photos
Whisk the sugar, egg yolks and salt.
Heat the heavy cream and whole milk.
Slowly pour hot mixture in egg mixture.
Pour cooled mixture in ice cream bowl.
Churn approximately 15-20 minutes.
Fold in the turtle toppings. Freeze.
How To Make Turtle Ice Cream From Scratch
Step 1. Heat milk and cream: In a saucepan, combine heavy cream and whole milk. Heat until it simmers.
Step 2. Whisk sugar and eggs: In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, egg yolks, and salt.
Step 3. Combine mixtures: Slowly pour the simmering milk and cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
Step 4. Thicken mixture: Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan. Heat and stir until it thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
Step 5. Add vanilla: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Step 6. Cool and refrigerate: Let the ice cream mixture cool, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 7. Churn ice cream: Pour the chilled mixture into the bowl of your ice cream machine and churn for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Step 8. Prepare turtle toppings: While churning, mix together toasted pecans, chopped chocolate chips, and caramel sauce.
Step 9. Fold in toppings: When the ice cream is almost done, fold in the turtle toppings.
Step 10. Freeze: Transfer the ice cream to a shallow container or loaf pan and freeze for at least 2 hours or until firm.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Tips
- If the ice cream becomes too firm in the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping.
- Make a turtle sundae with your favorite flavors. Serve a scoop of turtle ice cream in a bowl or a glass, and top it with your favorite caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, turtle candies and a cherry.
- Sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt or flaky salt over the top of the ice cream to add a contrasting salty element.
Frequently Asked Questions About Turtle Ice Cream
Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container, press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface, and seal with the lid. Consume it within a month of freezing.
More Frozen Recipes You Might Enjoy
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Turtle Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped pecans toasted
- ½ cup chocolate chopped
- ¼ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream and whole milk. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
- While the cream and milk are heating up, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Once the cream and milk are simmering, slowly pour the hot mixture into the bowl with the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly.
- Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and continue to heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and let it cool to room temperature.
- Once the mixture has cooled, cover it and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Once the mixture has chilled, pour it into an ice cream maker and churn for about 25-30 minutes.
- While the ice cream is churning, prepare the turtle toppings by mixing together the chopped pecans, chopped chocolate, and caramel sauce in a small bowl.
- When the ice cream is done churning, transfer it to a large bowl and fold in the turtle toppings.
- Transfer the ice cream to a container and freeze for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
Notes
- If the ice cream becomes too firm in the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping.
- Make a turtle sundae with your favorite flavors. Serve a scoop of turtle ice cream in a bowl or a glass, and top it with your favorite caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, turtle candies and a cherry.
- Sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt or flaky salt over the top of the ice cream to add a contrasting salty element.
- Storing: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container, press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface, and seal with the lid. Consume it within a month of freezing.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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